Oude abdij in Anseremme before 1888

‘Oude abdij in Anseremme’ is a monochrome photograph by Othon Campo, taken sometime before the artist’s death in 1899. The image captures a scene at Anseremme Abbey, likely in Belgium, during a period of significant social and political change. Campo’s work invites us to reflect on the intersections of labor, gender, and spirituality within the historical context of late 19th-century Belgium. Here we see two women engaged in domestic tasks, their presence suggesting the Abbey's role beyond religious practice. How did the photographer understand the place of women in society at this time, and how did the Abbey support or challenge those views? Campo, who was part of artistic circles interested in the natural world, captures the Abbey with great sensitivity to detail. As you look, reflect on the contrast between the timelessness of the architecture and the transient nature of human activity depicted here. What does this juxtaposition tell us about the enduring qualities of faith, community and labor?